OTAN Digest - August 2025
Digest #54
August 2025
Spotlight On...
The Triple E Framework:
A Guide to Authentic Tech Integration
Learning by Doing in the Digital Age
Students are most successful when they are mentally invested and see relevance in their learning. Kolb emphasizes that technology should not simply entertain but actively involve learners in achieving instructional goals. Engagement means students are thinking critically, interacting socially, and focusing on tasks without distraction.
Technology should elevate students’ thinking—not just replicate analog tasks. Enhancement occurs when tech tools support higher-order skills such as analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving. It also includes personalized pathways for learners to express understanding.
True transformation happens when classroom learning extends into students’ everyday lives. This component encourages students to use tech tools beyond the school day and apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations.
OTAN Resources
Triple E Framework: Engagement Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework: Enhancement Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework: Extension Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework Video Presentation
A Quick Guide to Getting Started on Bluesky
Applied Digital Skills Has Moved
Grant Opportunity: ProLiteracy's Mobile Learning Fund
Help Support Successful Reentry with ARCAID
Take Learning on the Road: Beyond Literacy's Mobile Learning Lab Toolkit
Where are they now? Updates from Students Succeed Honorees
Lois Rhodes, a GED teacher at Sunrise Tech Center (San Juan USD), reached out with exciting news about her former student, Dora Duenas. Dora recently earned her associate’s degree in business administration with honors from Sierra College and will begin the honors program at Sacramento State in fall 2025. We were thrilled to add her update, along with a new photo, to the “Where Are They Now?” section on Dora’s webpage.
To share an update on a past CAESS honoree, please email Karin de Varennes at kdevarennes@scoe.net with their latest information and a recent photo, if available.
Monthly, SMEs write an article about technology and how it correlates with teaching and learning. These articles become companions of each OTAN Tech Talk. While OTAN welcomes an article or Tech Talk from any adult educator in California, our SMEs without fail consistently write about the most innovative ideas for adult education classrooms.
August
AI Powered Tutor and Teacher Tools added to CK-12's Free Digital Resources
By Debbie Jensen, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
CK-12’s Flexi was introduced to be that tutor—and answer questions 24/7. Then AI entered the world stage. Immediately CK-12 worked to add AI to Flexi. And what resulted is more than an online tutor.
July
Boosting Efficiency and Organization with Microsoft Bookings
By Yecsenia Castro, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Microsoft Bookings offers a user-friendly solution to streamline appointment management and productivity. Eliminating the back-and-forth of scheduling— this tool allows you to set your availability so students can easily book time with you and stay connected.
June
Creative Ways to use Microsoft Sway in your Classroom
By Chris Vela Che, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
Microsoft Sway allows teachers to create and share visually appealing presentations, reports, newsletters, and stories. It’s also ideal for learners who are just beginning to explore digital spaces.
New Weekly Template available for Canvas educators. Housed in the CA Adult Education Canvas Commons, this template organizes instruction by weeks with fun buttons to choose from and a concise format for access.
Message from the Director
Welcome to August and, for many of us, the kick-off to the start of a new program year. We’ve received numerous requests for back-to-school training and have appreciated the flexibility of so many of you pivoting to virtual training and opening your training to the field. While we’re all breathing easier with the lifting of the impoundment of federal adult education funds that took place in July, OTAN will continue with virtual training and support through September.
OTAN has also recently submitted to the California Department of Education Adult Education Office its annual Technology and Distance Learning report for California Adult Education 2023-2024. As the introduction states, "This report provides a broad overview of the state of distance learning in WIOA, Title II: AEFLA funded adult schools and community colleges in California in Program Year 2023-2024 with recommendations for continued support for teachers and programs, as well as further research to continuously improve adult education services for Californians."
The report covers a wide range of topics, including enrollment data, student access to and use of technology, teacher use of technology and thoughts about technology integration, waiting lists, and barriers to learning. The report concludes with a section on factors that should be considered for future research and reporting. The latest report will be posted to the OTAN Reports page on our OTAN website in early August.
If you have any questions about this report or are interested in training and support for your staff, please contact OTAN at support@otan.us or call our office at 916-228-2580.
All the best as your students return to campus!
-Renee Collins
Director, Adult Education
OTAN August and September Events
OTAN training events are OPEN to Adult Education staff.
★ = CLOSED, In-Service Training
Professional Development - Plan Ahead!
Did you know OTAN provides FREE professional development workshops to help Adult Educators integrate technology?
Think about scheduling OTAN Professional Development in the 2025-2026 school year. With a wide variety of technology topics from which to choose, OTAN training staff can provide in-person workshops or presentations at any approved California adult education agency or professional development event, either online or face-to-face with a computer lab or devices connected to the Internet.
All OTAN's workshops are provided at no cost!
Each session is hands-on - everyone will learn new skills related to technology or using technology that they can use in their adult education class or program. And all OTAN online or face-to-face workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of the requesting program. Select the links to see a list of the current online or face-to-face workshops and descriptions. If you don't see a workshop that is exactly what you need, contact OTAN - we'll work together to create a training that's best for you and your staff!
Need more information? Contact OTAN training staff anytime by phone at (916) 228-2580, or by email at support@otan.us.
To view workshops already scheduled, visit the California Adult Education Professional Development Calendar and search for workshops sponsored by OTAN. Don't miss out!